Your website host are the folks you pay to provide storage on their computers(servers) for the files and database that makes up your website. While they certainly do more than this, it’s a good start.

They may or may not register your domain. They may or may not provide you with email accounts.

Once you have a domain name registered, then you (or your web folks) have to worry about how to get your website up on the interwebs. So…

• Someone picks a host.
• They point your domain to the host.
• They upload your files and database to the host.

And… voila typing your domain name in a web browser displays your website.

If you’ve been following our recent posts, a site builder takes care of all of this for you. They provide the interface to create/edit your site and host your site.

There’s more to it, but that’s a 50K foot perspective of your website hosting.

There are a plethora of hosting companies and many web development firms provide hosting for their clients. Both are good. Usually the choice is a function of your web firm. They recommend what’s easiest to provide you with support. Many business models combine hosting and site maintenance to make it easier for everyone.

Usually speed & reliability are a function of the cost. You get what you pay for.